From ancient times, there has been an attitude towards nature in Japan called “physiolatry”. In the case of facing a large stone, for example, it is the attitude to respect the stone itself as a target of worship. People somehow sense a holy existence from its massiveness and presence, instead of assigning meaning to the stone as a quality material for human purposes. But this is not limited to a stone; the same goes for other diverse natural objects, such as trees and animals.

This behaviour of feeling powers and dignity of matter by confronting and touching it may be perceived as a dialogue between humans and materials. Furthermore, crafting something based on this dialogue is very different from a human-centred design that gives meaning to nature as mere material. This kind of “crafting” triggers a deep dialogue with nature.

Through this workshop, in the vast and abundant natural environment of Boisbuchet, we will share the experience of crafting as if having a dialogue with nature, while carefully listening to its object’s voices. Your perceptions will change the character of the materials you encounter as well as your behaviour, halting your steps and inviting you to feel with your hands. And of course they also change the way you process the material and how you shape your dialogue.